Folding chair



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l. W. LINDSAY.

FOLDING CHAIR.

No. 328,322. PatentedOot. 13, 1885.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. W. LINDSAY.

FOLDING CHAIR.

No. 328,322. Patented Oct. 13, 1885.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. i

WILLIAM LINDSAY, OF SOUTH ASHBURNHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

FOLDING CHAIR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 328,322, dated October 13,1885.

Application filed May 1, 1884. Serial No. 129,915. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM LINDSAY, of South Ashburnham, in the county of Worcester and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain Improvements in Folding Chairs; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making part of this specification.

My improved chair is designed especially for the sick-room and for the use of invalids; and the principal feature of the invention consists in providing beneath the seat of the chair a false bottom or shelf, upon which a suitable vessel for the use of invalids may be placed, which shelf is so arranged that it can be folded when the chair is folded. I also so construct the chair that the space between the seat and shelf can be inclosed on all sides, thus forming a closed box beneath the seat. In addition to these features, my invention consists, further, in improved means for connecting the main parts of the chair. i

In the drawings, Figure l is a side view of a chair constructed in accordance with my invention, the chair being shown in position for use. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the chair being shown folded. Fig. 3 is a vertical section in a plane indicated by the line 3 3, Fig. l, and Fig. 4 is a vertical section in a plane indicated by the line 4 4, Fig. 3.

Like letters indicate corresponding parts in all of the figures.

The frame-work of the chair consists of front legs, A A, which extend upward and backward to form the back of the chair, and of back legs, B B, which cross and embrace the front legs, as shown. The seat C is suitably constructed for the uses to which the chair is adapted, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. The seat is pivoted at its rear edge to the legs A A, and to its front edge are pivoted the legs B B. The legs A A and B B are connected together by links D D, which are pivoted to the legs A at a and to the legs B at b, substantially as shown, so as to sustain the legs in proper position in relation to each other, and also to permit the ready and compact folding of the chair. The links D are preferably made of thin strips of metal, so as not to materially increase the width of the chair.

To retain the legs in proper relative position when the chairis in position for use, the links D D (at their lower ends, where they are pivoted to the legs B B) are bent at right angles to form stops EE, which engage with the forward sides of the legs A A when the chair is unfolded. The stops E E also limit the upward movement of the legs B B when the chair is folded, engaging with the legs A A, as indicated in Fig. 2. By the use of these stops E E a rod connecting the legs B B at this point is dispensed with, which, with this construction of chair, might interfere with the shelf or box beneath the seat.

The false bottom or shelf Fis pivoted at its rear edge to the legs A A at a suitable distance below the seat C. This shelf is supported at its front edge by being pivoted or hinged to the lower edge of a plate, G, which plate is pivoted or hinged at its upper edge to the seat C, near the forward edge of said seat, the width of the plate G being such that the shelf F is horizontal when the chair is in position for use. The plate G, in addition to supporting one side of the shelf F, serves also to close the space between the shelf and seat at the front.

It is to be noted that the connections between the shelf F, the plate G, and the other parts of the chair are such that all parts of the chair turn or fold in the same direction, so that these additional parts do not in any wise interfere with the folding of the chair; also, the shelf F and plate G, being pivoted within or between the inner legs, A A, fold up in the same plane with said legs, so that they do not interfere with the compact folding of the chair.

In order to have the chair fold closely and compactly, the length of the links D D should properly be about equal to the distance between the pivotal points of the shelf and seat.

When the chair is in position for use, the shelf is firmly and rigidly held in place, it being possible for it to be moved only with the folding of the chair, so that it forms a secure and steady support for the vessel which it is designed to hold.

Hinged to the shelf on each side so as to fold inward are doors or wings H H, which, when the chair is open, close on each side the IDO space between the shelf and seat. When the chair is to be folded, these wings are turned down, and as they may be made of quite thin material they interfere but slightly, if at all, with the compact folding of the chair. Pivoted or hinged to the rear edge of the shelf F is a back plate, I, which can be swung downward, Aas shown in Fig. 3, when the chair is to be folded, or when access is desired to the space between the shelf and seat, or it may be turned upward, as shown in Fig. 4, when it is desired to close the rear of the said space.

I claim as my inventionl. In a folding chair, a folding seat, in combination with a folding or collapsible box located beneath the seat and adapted to fold with the chair, substantially as set forth.

2. In a folding invalid-chair, two sets of legs,

^ and a seat provided with a suitable aperture 2o and pivoted at its front and rear edges to said sets of legs respectively, in combination with a folding shelf located beneath said seat and pivotally supported at its front and rear edges, substantially as set forth.

3. In a folding invalid-chair, two sets of legs, a seat pivoted at its front and rear edges to said sets of legs respectively, and a shelf pivotally supported at its front and rear edges beneath said seat, whereby a space is formed beneath said seat and shelf, in combination with folding wings or plates which inclose said space on all sides, substantially as set forth.

4. In a folding invalid-chair, front legs, a seat pivoted at its rear edge t0 said front legs, back legs pivoted at their upper ends to said seat, and which cross said front legs, and pivotal connections between said front and back legs, in combination with a folding shelf beneath said seat, pivoted at its rear edge to said front legs, and pivotal connections between the front edge of said shelf and the front edge of said seat, substantially as set forth.

5. In a cross-legged invalid-chair, front legs, a seat pivoted at its rear edge to said front legs, a folding shelf beneath said seat pivoted at its rear edge to said front legs, and pivotal connections between said shelf and seat at the front, in combination with back legs pivoted at their upper ends to said seat, and which cross said front legs, links pivoted at their upper ends to said front legs and at their lower ends to said back legs, and inwardly-project ing stops formed on said links, which engage with said front legs when the chair is in position for use, substantially as set forth.

6. In a folding invalid-chair, front legs, a seat pivoted at its rear edge to said front legs, back legs pivoted at their upper ends to said seat, and which cross said front legs, and pivotal connections between said front and back legs, in combination with a folding shelf beneath the seat pivoted at its rear edge to said front legs. a front plate-pivoted at its upper edge to said seat and at its lower edge to said shelf, hinged side wings, and a hinged back plate, which said plates and wings inclose the space between said seat and shelf on all sides when the chair is in position for use, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my naine in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIADI LINDSAY.

Witnesses:

WARREN CLARK, Jr., AINsWoRTH CLARK. 

